OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

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OIA Announces $4,279,808 Cross-Cutting Grants for Insular Areas
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Seal
5/22/2023
$4,279,808 in FY2023 TAP grant funding will support healthcare for populations from the nuclear-affected atolls in the Marshall Islands, youth education and outreach, judicial training, natural resource conservation, and weather forecasting for climate change resilience in the Pacific Insular Areas. 
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Announces $2,528,951 in FY2023 Grants Benefitting the U.S. Virgin Islands
Insular Affairs, Press Release
USVI flag logo
5/18/2023
“The funding this year will support many important needs for the U.S. Virgin Islands, such as emergency response, improving government processes, utilities training, sustainable water resources, and youth mentoring on climate change and natural resources protection. We are especially pleased to be able to support the U.S. Virgin Islands in preparations for the commemoration of 175 years of emancipation.” - Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor 
Biden-Harris Administration Awards $12 Million through Investing in America Agenda to Combat Climate Change in the U.S. Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
BIL people photo
5/11/2023
The Territorial Climate and Infrastructure Workshop convened local, federal and territorial representatives Workshop in Hawaii today, where $12 million in key investments from the Inflation Reduction Act was announced for climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation and resilience for the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Statement on the Kili Bikini Ejit Resettlement Trust Fund
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA logo
5/5/2023
The Department is currently reviewing what actions are necessary or appropriate given its surviving role with respect to the resettlement program and the Kili Bikini Ejit Trust Fund documents.
U.S. Department of the Interior Supports Solution for Compact Impact
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Department of the Interior bison seal set against green mountainous background.
5/5/2023
The legal authorization underlying mandatory and discretionary Compact Impact appropriations expires after 2023.  Ultimately, any extension of Compact impact funding or extension of Federal benefits to Compact migrants residing in the United States and its territories requires congressional action. The Department of the Interior will continue working with Congress on these matters, including the proposed Compact Impact Fairness Act.    
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Now Accepting Applications from U.S. Territories for Energy Projects
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
3/27/2023
Proposals are now being accepted for the Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The anticipated total funding available to the territories is $15.5 million. Those eligible to apply are local government entities, independent authorities, and educational institutions located in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023.
President Biden Proposes $537 Million in the FY 2024 Budget for U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Seal
3/9/2023
The FY 2024 budget proposal for OIA includes $122 million in current appropriations and $414 million in permanent funding. It also reflects proposed increases from the FY 2023 enacted level of $4 million in Capital Improvement Projects grant funding to support critical infrastructure needs in the Territories, and $900,000 for the Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources grant program to address additional conservation needs for all Insular Areas.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Move to Reduce Financial Burden on U.S. Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
2/8/2023
February 8, 2023, Biden Harris Administration Announces Move to Reduce Burden on Territories IGIA 2023
Assistant Secretary Cantor Completes Pacific Tour of Hawaiʻi, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
1/26/2023
Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today wrapped up a trip to Hawai’i, Guam and Saipan. Her visit included valuable opportunities to highlight U.S. investments, the importance of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Biden-Harris administration’s recently launched first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Welcomes 31 Public Servants from the Pacific and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the Executive Leadership Development Program
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Welcomes 31 Public Servants
12/5/2022
OIA is pleased to support and welcome 31 new public servants from the Pacific and the Caribbean for what will be a special journey of professional and personal development as part of the Executive Leadership Development Program. The 2023 Cohort is comprised of mid-level management public servants from American Samoa (4), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (5), Guam (3), the U.S. Virgin Islands (5), the Federated States of Micronesia (8), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (4), and the Republic of Palau (2).
Secretary Haaland Visit Highlights Climate Resilience Investments in US Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Secretary Haaland Visit Highlights Climate Resilience Investments in US Territories photo
11/14/2022
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor visited the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico this week to highlight the Department's efforts to bolster coastal and climate resilience in the U.S. territories, and opportunities to tell a more complete story of America.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets with the Presidents of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia logo
11/4/2022
Assistant Secretary has now completed travel to each of the three freely associated states each of which have an important relationship with the United States under their respective Compact of Free Association.
Department of the Interior Technical Assistance Program Grants Now Open to U.S. Insular Areas
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
10/25/2022
The announcements for funding for Technical Assistance (TAP), Maintenance Assistance (MAP), Coral Reef and Natural Resources (including Invasive Species projects) (CRNR), and Brown Tree Snake (BTS) are open with a deadline of March 17, 2023.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets with Virgin Islands Leaders, Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to the Territory
Insular Affairs, Press Release
Assistant Secretary Cantor Meets With Virgin Islands Leaders photo
10/20/2022
Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today completed her first official visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) where she met with Governor Albert Bryan and other island leaders to emphasize the agency’s commitment to the people of the territory. 
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Announces $10 Million in EIC Grants and Collaboration with Energy to Support the Territories
Insular Affairs, Press Release
OIA Logo
9/23/2022
“The Biden-Harris administration prioritizes energy efficiency and resiliency for all Americans including the territories,” said Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor. “We look forward to working closely with NREL in supporting the territories’ energy needs in 2022 and beyond.” 

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